Lead Field Operator – Wells, Drilling & Pumping

About Terranova

Terranova builds robotic systems that lift land, restore wetlands, and protect critical infrastructure from flooding and sea-level rise.

We are hiring an experienced operator to run our equipment safely and reliably at active job sites. This is a hands-on field position based in Berkeley, California, with regular travel to deployment sites.

The Role

This is not an office, engineering, or equipment-design position . Most of your work will involve operating, transporting, setting up, maintaining, and repairing equipment in the field.

We are specifically looking for a well-rounded oilfield operator with experience across drilling, well construction, workover, cementing, injection, or pressure-pumping operations. You should understand how an entire wellsite operates rather than having experience limited to one narrow specialty.

Experience progressing through multiple rig or well-service roles—such as floorhand, motorhand, derrickhand, driller, toolpusher, workover operator, or well-service operator—is strongly preferred.

You should be comfortable working outdoors, getting dirty, performing physical work, and troubleshooting equipment when something breaks. Practical field experience is more important than a college degree.

Responsibilities

Operate Terranova’s drilling, pumping, injection, robotic, and support equipment

Support borehole drilling, stabilization, injection, and pressure-pumping operations

Monitor pressure, flow, equipment performance, and changing subsurface conditions

Recognize and respond to borehole instability, lost circulation, pressure changes, equipment failures, and other field issues

Rig up, inspect, operate, and break down pumps, hoses, valves, fittings, generators, and pressurized systems

Load, secure, transport, stage, and unload equipment, tools, parts, and materials

Operate or support skid steers, loaders, forklifts, trailers, pumps, and similar machinery

Perform equipment inspections, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and field repairs

Diagnose mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and controls-related failures

Maintain safe, clean, and organized job sites, vehicles, trailers, and equipment

Document operating conditions, equipment issues, repairs, and lessons learned

Provide practical field feedback to improve Terranova’s equipment and procedures

Required Experience

At least three years of hands-on oilfield, drilling, well-service, workover, cementing, completion, injection, or pressure-pumping experience

Experience across multiple parts of wellsite operations rather than one narrow specialty

Working knowledge of drilling fluids, borehole stability, lost circulation, casing, cementing, pumps, pressure lines, valves, and hydraulics

Experience rigging up and breaking down field equipment

Experience operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing physical equipment

Strong mechanical aptitude and practical field judgment

Ability to safely use hand tools, power tools, and diagnostic equipment

Ability to perform physically demanding work outdoors in changing conditions

Willingness to work weekends, travel, and stay overnight when required

Valid driver’s license and safe driving record

U.S. permanent residency

Experience as a driller, toolpusher, workover-rig operator, well-service operator, or senior rig hand with exposure to both drilling and pressure-pumping operations is strongly preferred. A college degree is not required.

Schedule

This is a five-day-per-week position, but it is not a Monday–Friday schedule. Workweeks may include weekends, and schedules may change during field deployments. Occasional sixth days, travel, and overnight stays may be required.